I received, December 8, 1980: The Day John Lennon Died (Backbeat Books), a soon-to-be-released book by my friend Keith Elliot Greenberg,  in the mail yesterday and I can’t stop reading it.

Greenberg, who lives in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, is a producer for American’s Most Wanted and has also produced for VH1, 48 Hours, MSNBC Investigates, the History Channel and Court TV. In his downtime, he has authored more than 30 non-ficti0n books.

How in hell does he write so many books??? I always see him on Park Slope’s Seventh Avenue having long, interesting conversations with friends.

But I know he works hard and his writing is fast, fun and compulsively readable in this minute-by-minute chronicle of that terrible day juxtaposed with well-told biographical sketches of Lennon, Ono, the other Beatles, Mark Chapman and all the other players in this tragedy, a must-read for the Lennon-obsessed—and those who remember or are curious about those grief filled days and weeks after Lennon’s death.

New York City itself is a character in the book as it was the city where Lennon felt most at home and where he created a safe cocoon with Yoko and their son, Sean, in the Dakota.

Lennon felt he could be himself here and that he could walk the streets, enjoy Central Park with his son,  eat in restaurants and not be overwhelmed by his cult of celebrity.

Sadly his end came in the city that cradled him during a wonderful time in his life, after he became a father and found his voice musically with the Double Fantasy album.

Full disclosure: I know Keith but I also really like the book as it brings up a swirl of emotions and a deeper understanding of that dark day.

Rolling Stone cover photo of John and Yoko by Annie Leibovitz